Chapter 6: Shock Among the Clan — Investing in Tian Yue, Lavish Rewards!
Upon arriving at the central region of the Prince's Manor, Hao Meng immediately buried the Heaven-tier low-grade spiritual vein deep underground.
In an instant, the spiritual energy throughout the entire Hao Prince's Manor surged explosively.
Originally, the manor possessed four Earth-tier high-grade spiritual veins and one Earth-tier peak-grade spiritual vein, which was already more than sufficient for the clan's needs.
Coupled with the Heaven-tier low-grade Spirit Gathering Formation that had been arranged not long ago, the concentration of spiritual energy had already increased substantially.
But now, with the addition of another Heaven-tier spiritual vein, the environment underwent a dramatic transformation.
Vast quantities of spiritual energy poured forth from the newly embedded vein, rapidly spreading in all directions.
The spiritual qi became astonishingly dense—so pure that it condensed into visible mist, drifting throughout the entire Hao Prince's Manor.
This sudden explosion of spiritual energy immediately drew the attention of countless clan members.
"Eh? Why has the spiritual energy suddenly become so dense? What just happened?"
"Could it be that a new spiritual vein has appeared within the manor?"
"Haha! This level of spiritual qi is incredible! I originally thought it would take over a month to break through to the Fourth Star Realm—but now, I can do it within two days!"
The entire Hao clan was thrown into shock, exclaiming in amazement.
At that moment, Second Elder Hao Changfeng, who had just broken through to the Seventh Star Realm, stepped out of his room. His pupils contracted sharply as his mind reeled.
"This…"
As a Seventh Star Realm expert, his perception far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators. He could sense the changes in the manor's spiritual energy with exceptional clarity.
In the next instant, he activated a geothermal detection technique, quickly discovering that an additional spiritual vein had appeared beneath the Hao Prince's Manor.
"This is… a Heaven-tier low-grade spiritual vein?!"
The Second Elder's eyes widened in disbelief.
One had to know that throughout the entire Beiyuan County, not a single power possessed a Heaven-tier spiritual vein—Earth-tier peak-grade veins were already exceedingly rare.
Yet now, the Hao Prince's Manor had suddenly acquired one. How could he not be shaken?
"Could this be the Prince's doing?"
Suppressing his astonishment, just as he was about to seek out Hao Meng for clarification, the latter's figure suddenly appeared before him.
"Second Elder," Hao Meng said calmly, "a Heaven-tier spiritual vein has been added to the manor. Inform the clan members to cultivate diligently. There's no need to publicize this—focus on strengthening our overall power as soon as possible."
He had no intention of letting this matter attract the covetous eyes of other factions, hence the explicit instruction.
As he spoke, Hao Meng produced five jade bottles and a mineral vein map, tossing them to the Second Elder.
"These five bottles contain Purple Extreme Pills. Distribute them to the other core elders so they may improve their cultivation."
"As for this Canglan Purple-Gold Mineral Vein Map, immediately arrange for clan members to begin mining it."
With that, Hao Meng's figure flickered—and vanished.
The Second Elder stood frozen in place.
Only after a long moment did he regain his senses. Staring at the items in his hands, he muttered in awe:
"So it truly was the Prince's handiwork!"
"And these Purple Extreme Pills… and a map to a Canglan Purple-Gold mineral vein… What kind of fortuitous opportunity did the Prince obtain?!"
Though doubts stirred in his heart, he had no intention of probing further.
Everything the Prince did was for the vigorous growth of the clan. As an elder, his duty was simply to perform his role well.
Looking at the Purple Extreme Pills, the Second Elder felt deeply moved. These were the finest pills for Sixth Star Realm cultivators—despite lingering at that realm for many years, he had never once used such high-grade medicine.
Yet the new Prince had casually produced five full bottles.
And then there was the unexploited Earth-tier Canglan Purple-Gold mineral vein—a primary material for forging Earth-tier peak-grade artifacts!
Once mined, whether for crafting artifacts or exchanging for cultivation resources, the benefits to the Hao Prince's Manor would be beyond imagination.
At this thought, a blazing light ignited in the Second Elder's eyes.
After giving his instructions, Hao Meng returned directly to his room and began cultivating.
On the surface, the Hao Prince's Manor seemed relatively stable, but he knew well that the three great clans would inevitably encroach upon their industries step by step.
The only solution was to strengthen the Hao Prince's Manor as quickly as possible.
Ten days later
Hao Meng emerged from seclusion, his cultivation having advanced to the seventh level of the Sixth Star Realm.
This time, he planned to visit Tian Yue.
After all, he could not possibly ignore her after their union.
Moreover, he intended to give her that dual-cultivation technique, hoping they could better practice the Kun character art together in the future.
During this period, he had already studied the technique briefly and found it profoundly mysterious.
Meanwhile, in Tian Yue's chamber—
She sat cross-legged on a soft couch, cultivating and attempting yet another breakthrough.
However, once again, she failed to enter the Seventh Star Realm. All the spiritual energy she refined was swallowed entirely by the mysterious imprint within her body.
"Ah… still no success."
Tian Yue sighed softly, her expression tinged with helplessness.
As she slowly withdrew from cultivation, Hao Meng's figure surfaced once more in her mind.
Ever since their union ten days ago, that handsome, dignified face would occasionally appear in her thoughts without warning.
She herself did not understand why.
"It's already been ten days… I wonder if the Prince still remembers me."
Her thoughts drifted, and she could not help but sigh inwardly.
Though she was the lawful Princess Consort of the Hao Prince's Manor, she knew clearly that Hao Meng could never belong to her alone.
She had that much self-awareness.
For a lineage meant to endure endlessly, the Prince's succession could never depend solely on her.
"I should try breaking through once more."
Suppressing her distracting thoughts, Tian Yue resolved inwardly.
Only when fully immersed in cultivation could she avoid thinking about other matters.
Yet what she did not realize was that, deep in her heart, the man who had taken her first time had already firmly taken root.
At that very moment, Hao Meng stepped into the room from outside.
When Tian Yue saw that familiar face, joy surged involuntarily within her heart.
"Your Highness!"
She immediately rose and bowed gracefully, speaking softly.
Hao Meng nodded slightly and asked, "Yue, have you made any breakthroughs?"
Tian Yue shook her head, a trace of disappointment appearing on her face.
Hao Meng activated his True Vision Eye, confirming that her cultivation had indeed not advanced—and that the Exquisite Divine Body remained unawakened.
"Could it be that the pure yang energy I transferred still wasn't enough?"
He studied her thoughtfully.
It seemed that, in the future, he would need to practice the Kun character art more frequently with his Princess Consort.
Just then, the system's investment notification rang out once more.
[Ding! Golden-tier investment target discovered. Host may initiate investment!]
Hao Meng's eyes lit up.
So he could invest in Tian Yue as well—on second thought, it was only natural.
Now that she had married into the Hao Prince's Manor, she was effectively part of the clan and could indeed trigger system investments.
[Ding! Invest one Sword Dao Crystal Stone to receive three Heaven-tier low-grade spiritual veins and one low-grade spirit stone mineral map!]
[Ding! Invest one Tongxuan Golden Pill to receive two bottles of Jade Divine Pills, three jars of Myriad Phenomena Treasure Pills, and two hundred sets of Earth-tier rare spiritual herb seeds!]
[Ding! Invest the Heaven-tier high-grade cultivation method Great Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Secret Art to receive the King-tier martial skill Primordial Suppression Prison Force and the Heaven-tier peak-grade technique Annihilation Cloud-Thunder Art!]
Seeing the returns, Hao Meng marveled inwardly.
As expected of a golden-tier investment.
Suppressing his excitement, he comforted her gently, "Yue, there's no need to be discouraged. I believe you will definitely break through to the Seventh Star Realm."
As he spoke, he took out a scroll and handed it to her.
"I have a special Heaven-tier high-grade secret technique here. It may be able to help you achieve a breakthrough."
Upon hearing "Heaven-tier high-grade," Tian Yue's beautiful eyes widened. She had not expected the Hao Prince's Manor to possess a technique of such caliber.
She accepted the scroll and examined it carefully.
"A… dual-cultivation secret art?"
After a brief moment, a rosy blush crept across her cheeks. Her gaze flickered as she glanced shyly at Hao Meng.
Hao Meng showed no embarrassment at all and asked directly, "Yue, this technique embodies the principles of yin and yang. If we cultivate it together, both of us should gain considerable benefits. Would you be willing to try?"
Hearing this, her cheeks flushed even deeper.
Though she did not speak aloud, she nodded unconsciously.
Such a high-level profound technique—she naturally wished to try it, to see whether it could help her break through.
Moreover, she was already the Princess Consort of the Hao Prince's Manor. Dual-cultivating with Hao Meng was not something she found unacceptable.